Stock feeder



NOV. 21, 1944. M. H, WAGNER 2,363,212

STOCK FEEDER Filed Oct. 27, 1943 2"` Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 21 1944.

M. r'l. WAGNER STOCK FEEDER Filed Oct. 27, 1943 Patented Nov. 2l, 1944s'roor;` FEEDER l f Martin H. Wagner, Aplington, Iowa, u Applicationoctober 27, 1943,'s`eria1No. 507,335

" The invention relates toa stock feeden and more especially to`hogfeeding troughs. or stock feeders.. e

I The' primary object of the invention is the provisionof a device of`this character, wherein feed when placed thereinwillhe constantlydelivered to the stock, that isto say animals, particularly hogs, thelatter when nosing the trough effect `the, i

operation of an agitator within the device, which prevents stoppageinthe ow `of the feed therein due to dampness or other weatherconditions or sticky qualities of the feed.

Another object of the invention'is the provision of a device of thischaracter, wherein the agitator is operative from either side of thesaid device and is. novel in construction and is unique in itsarrangement, the feed being automatically fed to the animals, and thelatter controls the working of the agitator so as to have the feed ifree flowing, and also to maintain the trough full While the animals arefeeding therefrom,

A further object of the invention is the provision of a deviceof thischaracter, wherein the ow of the feed can be regulated therein and thefeeding of the animals can `be obtained from both sides of the deviceduring the use thereof.

A still further object of the invention is `the provision of a device ofthis character, `wherein the trough is of novel construction for theassociation of the agitator therewith and the supplying of feed to thedevice is had in a convenient manner.

A still further object of the invention is the provision ofa device ofthis character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliableandefficient in operation, strong, durable, readily portable, involving ananimal controlled agitator, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts` as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which show the preferred form of embodiment of the invention,and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of the device constructed in accordancewith the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3`is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view takenentirely through they device.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken approximately midwayof the device.

2 I bearings 2I.

f tively. The hopper affords a food storage com- Similar referencecharacters indicatecorresponding parts throughoutthe several views inthe drawings Referringtothe drawings in detail A designates generallythe`feeder or device constructed in accordance `l with the invention ,andhereinafter set forth in detail.

The feeder or device A comprises a base forming a tray I 0 having thewalled sides and ends II and I2, respectively, which are of uniformheight, this tray being of substantially rectangular shape or elongated,and rising from the longitudinal center of the tray is a dividing bar orpartition I3 which extends vertically above the sides and ends I I "andI2, and divides the tray into parallel troughs I4 at opposite sidesthereof for feeding purposes.

Built upon the base creating the tray In is a feed receivingand'delivery hopper formed with the vertically disposed downwardlytapered ends I Sand sides I6, respectively. The ends: I5 are cut into tosaddle the bar or partition I3 at their lower ends and areunited to theends I2 of the base, while on the inner faces of the ends I5 followingthe major portion of the downwardly converging edges are reinforcingstrips I 1 to which are secured the sides` I6,Iand these `at their lowerportions terminate removed from the bar or partition I3 to effect flowpassages I8 communicating directly with the troughs I4, respecpartmentI9 therein, and the feed contained therein gravitates Vinto the saidtroughs Il through the passages I 8. I

Arranged crosswise of the bar or partition I3 next to the saddling endsof the ends I5 are blocks 2u supporting bearings 2| in which isjournaled the center turning axle. 22 of an agitator having the crossingend pieces 23 which extend through opposite passages I8 for overhangingthe troughs I4, and these pieces have the upwardly angled tips 24.towhich are secured nosing bars 25, also overhanging the troughs, so thatan animal through contact of its nose or head with the said I bars 25causes the rocking of the agitator in its Thisagitator axle 22 hasprojecting vertically at right angles thereto and at in- Slidablydisposed on the inner faces of the sides I6 of the hopper are regulatinggates 21 which are next to the passages I8 to regulate the extent ofopening thereofV and in this wat7 control the 110W of feed from .thehopper into the troughs. The gates 21 are fitted with hanger arms 28having the flattened longitudinally slotted upper ends 29, the slo'tsbeing denoted at 30, through which pass winged nut carrying adjustingbolts 3l tting the sides I5 ofv..the.hopper,l The winged nuts 32 forthese boltsfl lare located at'the louter faces of the sides I6 for easyaccess. The gates 21 are can be easily adjusted at Will.

As has |been statedv when an animal noses the troughs I4 for feedingpurposes the 4agitator ,operates to loosenA the feed Within the hopperA"to assure freeflow thereof intofthe troughs "until the feed becomesexhausted therefrom. The bars 25 are of substantially the length of theextent ,of the Atroughs I4, so that there is no liability of `the animalmissing the said bars when nosingthe troughs for food.

Any suitable cover (not shown) canlbe provided for `the `open top of thehopper ,and the leaseA I0 is adapted lto `rest .upon .a floor or groundsurface Whenthe device is in use.

' substantially the extent of the passages I8 and Changes, variationsand modifications may ber i made in the device `as fall properly withinthe 1 scope of the claim hereunto appended, Without f departing from thespirit of the invention or sacvricing any of its advantages,

What is claimed-is: A feeder of the kind described, comprising a 'basehaving a center partition therein dividing it 'finto 'opposed separatedtroughs, a' hopper rising vfrom the |base and saddling the .partitionand having lower passages .coextensive withjthe troughs for,communication therewith, a turning shaft journaled horizontally in thehopper centrally above 'the partition and having a plurality of .spacedupstanding tines forming agitator members Within the hopper, and meansextending from the shaft in overhanging relation to the troughs fornosing action by animals for the rocking of .said shaft. n I v MARTIN H.WAGNER.

The axle 22 of the agitator is longitudinally cen- Y

